So, you thought Microsoft had gone far enough by encompassing markets including hardware, operating systems, gaming platforms, and programming languages, and are beginning to incorporate their services into everything from vending machines to cars?
They're at it again! What market are they taking over now? Here is a hint. They have recently patented your skin. Yes, that's right, they got a recent patent on a "Method and apparatus for transmitting power and data using the human body."
Here is the abstract for the previously linked patent document:
"Methods and apparatus for distributing power and data to devices coupled to the human body are described. The human body is used as a conductive medium, e.g., a bus, over which power and/or data is distributed. Power is distributed by coupling a power source to the human body via a first set of electrodes. One or more devise to be powered, e.g., peripheral devices, are also coupled to the human body via additional sets of electrodes. The devices may be, e.g., a speaker, display, watch, keyboard, etc. A pulsed DC signal or AC signal may be used as the power source. By using multiple power supply signals of differing frequencies, different devices can be selectively powered. Digital data and/or other information signals, e.g., audio signals, can be modulated on the power signal using frequency and/or amplitude modulation techniques."
I'm not sure what the exact plans are for this apparatus, but I'm sure it could be used to make a KILLER XBox 3!
What do you think it will be used for? What are your overall thoughts on this technology? Do you think your body will eventually be able to get a virus if you forget to turn on your firewall?
Discuss Microsoft's Skin Patent in the forum!
